"But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs" (Phil 2:25-26).
I got onto the bus with the other delegates attending a workplace conference in South Africa. It was a season in my life in which I had experienced many losses both financially and relationally. God was stripping away the old wineskin and creating a new one. One of the things He was teaching me was that He - not my skills, not my work - was my provider of financial needs during this season of training.
God provided me the means to attend the conference. One day before the registration deadline, a man came to my office and gave me $2500 and told me I was to go. Now, a man had just placed an envelope into my hand. "Here, God says I'm to give this to you. Inside are 10 crisp American $100 bills - $1000!" The man was from Kuwait.
Every believer needs to come to know Christ as their provider. Jehovah Jireh means God is my provider. When God called the Israelites from their place of slavery they had to walk through the desert. There is no way to earn a living in the desert. So God provided manna each day for them. Sometimes He even brought water from rocks. They had to experience a new way of gaining provision that was not rooted in sweat and toil. God had to demonstrate His faithfulness as Jehovah Jireh to His people.
There were times when Paul's tent making business was not the way God would provide for him. God often uses others as His instrument of provision. So, God sent Epaphroditus to take care of Paul's needs.
Do you know God as your provider? Do you have a need? Place your need before the Lord today and ask Him to demonstrate His faithfulness as Jehovah Jireh.
By Os Hillman, taken from "Today God is First"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: I Cor. 5-8
Old and New Testaments Together: Ezek. 37-39 & 2 Peter 2
Historical: Acts 4-6
Chronological: I Cor. 5-8
Blended: 2 Chron. 23-24 & Luke 9:18-36
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Monday, November 30, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Weekend Bible Reading
Bible Reading Guide:
Saturday:
Beginning to End: Romans 14-15
Old and New Testaments Together: Ezek. 33-34 & I Peter 5
Historical: Philippians
Chronological: Acts 18:19-19:41
Blended: 2 Chron. 19-20 & Luke 8:26-56
Sunday:
Beginning to End: I Cor. 1-4
Old and New Testaments Together: Ezek. 35-36 & 2 Peter 1
Historical: Acts 1-3
Chronological: I Cor. 1-4
Blended: 2 Chron. 21-22 & Luke 9:1-17
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Saturday:
Beginning to End: Romans 14-15
Old and New Testaments Together: Ezek. 33-34 & I Peter 5
Historical: Philippians
Chronological: Acts 18:19-19:41
Blended: 2 Chron. 19-20 & Luke 8:26-56
Sunday:
Beginning to End: I Cor. 1-4
Old and New Testaments Together: Ezek. 35-36 & 2 Peter 1
Historical: Acts 1-3
Chronological: I Cor. 1-4
Blended: 2 Chron. 21-22 & Luke 9:1-17
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Friday, November 27, 2009
Tears, Then Joyful Harvest
"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy" (Psalm 126:5).
Weeping times are suitable for sowing: we do not want the ground to be too dry. Seed steeped in the tears of earnest anxiety will come up all the sooner. The salt of prayerful tears will give the good seed a flavor which will preserve it from the worm: truth spoken in awful earnestness has a double life about it. Instead of stopping our sowing because of our weeping, let us redouble our efforts because the season is so propitious. Our heavenly seed could not fitly be sown laughing. Deep sorrow and concern for the souls of others are a far more fit accompaniment of godly teaching than anything like levity. We have heard of men who went to war with a light heart, but they were beaten; and it is mostly so with those who sow in the same style. Come, then, my heart, sow on in thy weeping, for thou has the promise of a joyful harvest. Thou shalt reap. Thou, thyself, shalt see some results of thy labor. This shall come to thee in so large a measure as to give thee joy, which a poor, withered, and scanty harvest would not do. When thine eyes are dim with silver tears, think of the golden corn. Bear cheerfully the present toil and disappointment; for the harvest day will fully recompense thee.
By C.H. Spurgeon, taken from "Faith's Checkbook?
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Romans 11-13
Old and New Testaments Together: Ezek. 30-34 & I Peter 4
Historical: Colossians & Philemon
Chronological: I Thessalonians 1-5 & 2 Thessalonians 1-3
Blended: 2 Chron. 17-18 & Luke 8:1-25
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Weeping times are suitable for sowing: we do not want the ground to be too dry. Seed steeped in the tears of earnest anxiety will come up all the sooner. The salt of prayerful tears will give the good seed a flavor which will preserve it from the worm: truth spoken in awful earnestness has a double life about it. Instead of stopping our sowing because of our weeping, let us redouble our efforts because the season is so propitious. Our heavenly seed could not fitly be sown laughing. Deep sorrow and concern for the souls of others are a far more fit accompaniment of godly teaching than anything like levity. We have heard of men who went to war with a light heart, but they were beaten; and it is mostly so with those who sow in the same style. Come, then, my heart, sow on in thy weeping, for thou has the promise of a joyful harvest. Thou shalt reap. Thou, thyself, shalt see some results of thy labor. This shall come to thee in so large a measure as to give thee joy, which a poor, withered, and scanty harvest would not do. When thine eyes are dim with silver tears, think of the golden corn. Bear cheerfully the present toil and disappointment; for the harvest day will fully recompense thee.
By C.H. Spurgeon, taken from "Faith's Checkbook?
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Romans 11-13
Old and New Testaments Together: Ezek. 30-34 & I Peter 4
Historical: Colossians & Philemon
Chronological: I Thessalonians 1-5 & 2 Thessalonians 1-3
Blended: 2 Chron. 17-18 & Luke 8:1-25
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Thanksgiving: The Forgotten Holiday
"Do not cease giving thanks . . . " Ephesians 1:16 a
Sandwiched somewhere between Halloween and Christmas is a Thursday holiday that is slowly becoming more miniscule in the minds of millions of Americans – Thanksgiving. If you search hard, you might find one small section of Thanksgiving cards, autumn decorations, and a turkey platter amid the aisles and miles of Halloween costumes, Christmas decorations, and toys.
For some, Thanksgiving is a day to get a list together prior to a day of marathon Christmas shopping. Somehow our perception of Thanksgiving Day has gone askew. We've forgotten the reason for celebration that first Thanksgiving. Gratitude for survival!
Historically we think of Thanksgiving as a time of feasting for the Pilgrims and Indians. In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims had been in America less than a year. During those months, over half their original population died from disease or starvation. The Pilgrims hosted the first feast not to try out their latest recipes, but to celebrate life with their Indian friends and give thanks to God for His provision in difficult circumstances.
Perhaps you'd like to redirect your family toward gratitude this year. Just as many enlist the help of an advent wreath to prepare for the celebration of Jesus' birth in December, focus on thanks-giving this November by doing the following:
• Write Bible verses that name the attributes of God on fruit-shaped cut-outs. Place them in a basket or cornucopia. During a time of family devotions or at a meal, have each family member select a fruit from the basket and read the verse aloud. Then discuss ways your family has experienced each of God's qualities.
• Think about reasons for ingratitude. Most of us are incredibly blessed, yet we find reasons to complain. This week, any time family members complain about something, have them place money in a jar. Your family can decide the amount. Then at the end of the week, donate the money to the soup kitchen or mobile meals to help with Thanksgiving meals.
• Think of someone you love and appreciate, but rarely see. Make plans to call, send a card, or visit that person. Find out if there is a special need, pray with the person, and provide materially or with an act of service.
• Focus on praising God. Let each family member select a praise chorus or hymn. Sing a different one at each meal instead of saying a blessing. Thank God for material provision, physical health, spiritual blessings, our country, our church, and family.
These are just a few ideas to help you get started. Use your creativity to come up with others and enjoy making Thanksgiving a holiday to remember.
By Candy Arrington, taken from CBN.com
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Romans 8-10
Old and New Testaments Together: Ezek. 27-29 & I Peter 3
Historical: Eph. 4-6
Chronological: Acts 17-18:18
Blended: 2 Chron. 15-16 & Luke 7:31-50
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Sandwiched somewhere between Halloween and Christmas is a Thursday holiday that is slowly becoming more miniscule in the minds of millions of Americans – Thanksgiving. If you search hard, you might find one small section of Thanksgiving cards, autumn decorations, and a turkey platter amid the aisles and miles of Halloween costumes, Christmas decorations, and toys.
For some, Thanksgiving is a day to get a list together prior to a day of marathon Christmas shopping. Somehow our perception of Thanksgiving Day has gone askew. We've forgotten the reason for celebration that first Thanksgiving. Gratitude for survival!
Historically we think of Thanksgiving as a time of feasting for the Pilgrims and Indians. In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims had been in America less than a year. During those months, over half their original population died from disease or starvation. The Pilgrims hosted the first feast not to try out their latest recipes, but to celebrate life with their Indian friends and give thanks to God for His provision in difficult circumstances.
Perhaps you'd like to redirect your family toward gratitude this year. Just as many enlist the help of an advent wreath to prepare for the celebration of Jesus' birth in December, focus on thanks-giving this November by doing the following:
• Write Bible verses that name the attributes of God on fruit-shaped cut-outs. Place them in a basket or cornucopia. During a time of family devotions or at a meal, have each family member select a fruit from the basket and read the verse aloud. Then discuss ways your family has experienced each of God's qualities.
• Think about reasons for ingratitude. Most of us are incredibly blessed, yet we find reasons to complain. This week, any time family members complain about something, have them place money in a jar. Your family can decide the amount. Then at the end of the week, donate the money to the soup kitchen or mobile meals to help with Thanksgiving meals.
• Think of someone you love and appreciate, but rarely see. Make plans to call, send a card, or visit that person. Find out if there is a special need, pray with the person, and provide materially or with an act of service.
• Focus on praising God. Let each family member select a praise chorus or hymn. Sing a different one at each meal instead of saying a blessing. Thank God for material provision, physical health, spiritual blessings, our country, our church, and family.
These are just a few ideas to help you get started. Use your creativity to come up with others and enjoy making Thanksgiving a holiday to remember.
By Candy Arrington, taken from CBN.com
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Romans 8-10
Old and New Testaments Together: Ezek. 27-29 & I Peter 3
Historical: Eph. 4-6
Chronological: Acts 17-18:18
Blended: 2 Chron. 15-16 & Luke 7:31-50
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
A Fresh Vision
"In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple." Isaiah 6:1
At the time of today's Scripture, King Uzziah had died. Changes in leadership often bring uncertainty, concern and confusion. Isaiah felt the king's death keenly, for not only was Uzziah his king, he was a dear friend.
Isaiah went to the temple, and there he was transformed! God knew that what Isaiah needed at this time of crisis was a new focus, a fresh vision of the Lord. There is the temple Isaiah saw the lOrd in all His glory, perhaps a manifestation of the pre-incarnate Christ.
As he gazed in rapt worship, the glory of God was revealed to him. He saw the Lord on His throne, reigning in all His majesty and power. There was no need to fear the future, for God was still on His throne. He was in control. The occupant of the earthy throne had changed; but God's throne is eternal, occupied by the one who said, "I the Lord do not change" (Malachi 3:6). Earthly events do not change God.
After Isaiah's perspective changed, he was never the same again. Our need, too, may be to shift our focus from people, possessions, and problems to a fresh vision of the Lord.
By Millie Stamm, taken from "Women's Devotional Bible"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Romans 4-7
Old and New Testaments Together: Ezek. 24-26 & I Peter 2
Historical: Eph. 1-3
Chronological: Gal. 4-6
Blended: 2 Chron. 13-14 & Luke 7:1-30
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
At the time of today's Scripture, King Uzziah had died. Changes in leadership often bring uncertainty, concern and confusion. Isaiah felt the king's death keenly, for not only was Uzziah his king, he was a dear friend.
Isaiah went to the temple, and there he was transformed! God knew that what Isaiah needed at this time of crisis was a new focus, a fresh vision of the Lord. There is the temple Isaiah saw the lOrd in all His glory, perhaps a manifestation of the pre-incarnate Christ.
As he gazed in rapt worship, the glory of God was revealed to him. He saw the Lord on His throne, reigning in all His majesty and power. There was no need to fear the future, for God was still on His throne. He was in control. The occupant of the earthy throne had changed; but God's throne is eternal, occupied by the one who said, "I the Lord do not change" (Malachi 3:6). Earthly events do not change God.
After Isaiah's perspective changed, he was never the same again. Our need, too, may be to shift our focus from people, possessions, and problems to a fresh vision of the Lord.
By Millie Stamm, taken from "Women's Devotional Bible"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Romans 4-7
Old and New Testaments Together: Ezek. 24-26 & I Peter 2
Historical: Eph. 1-3
Chronological: Gal. 4-6
Blended: 2 Chron. 13-14 & Luke 7:1-30
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
God Cares About You
"Look at the birds in the air. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them." Matthew 6:26
Consider the earth! Our globe's weight has been estimated at six sextillion tons (a six with twenty-one zeros). Yet is is precisely tilted at twenty-three degrees; and more or any less and our seasons would be lost in a melted polar flood. Though our globe revolves at the rate of one-thousand miles per hour or twenty-five thousands miles per day or nine million miles per year, none of us tumbles into orbit . . . .
As you stand . . . observing God's workmanship, let me pose a few questions. If He is able to pace the stars in their sockets and suspend the sky like a curtain, do you think it is remotely possible that god is able to guide your life? If your God is mighty enough to ignite the sun, could it be that He is mighty enough to light your path? If He cares enough about the planet Saturn to give it rings or Venus to make it sparkle, is there an outside chance that He cares enough about you to meet your needs? - The Great House of God
By Max Lucado, taken from "Grace For The Moment"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Romans 1-3
Old and New Testaments Together: Ezek. 22-23 & I Peter 1
Historical: Luke 23-24
Chronological: Gal. 1-3
Blended: 2 Chron. 10-12 & Luke 6:27-49
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Consider the earth! Our globe's weight has been estimated at six sextillion tons (a six with twenty-one zeros). Yet is is precisely tilted at twenty-three degrees; and more or any less and our seasons would be lost in a melted polar flood. Though our globe revolves at the rate of one-thousand miles per hour or twenty-five thousands miles per day or nine million miles per year, none of us tumbles into orbit . . . .
As you stand . . . observing God's workmanship, let me pose a few questions. If He is able to pace the stars in their sockets and suspend the sky like a curtain, do you think it is remotely possible that god is able to guide your life? If your God is mighty enough to ignite the sun, could it be that He is mighty enough to light your path? If He cares enough about the planet Saturn to give it rings or Venus to make it sparkle, is there an outside chance that He cares enough about you to meet your needs? - The Great House of God
By Max Lucado, taken from "Grace For The Moment"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Romans 1-3
Old and New Testaments Together: Ezek. 22-23 & I Peter 1
Historical: Luke 23-24
Chronological: Gal. 1-3
Blended: 2 Chron. 10-12 & Luke 6:27-49
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Monday, November 23, 2009
"For the Sake of My Name
In Ezekiel chapter 20 I came across a reoccurring theme. In 4 verses God says, "For the sake of My name."
20:9, "But I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations among whom they lived, in whose sight I made Myself known to them by bringing them out of the land of Egypt."
20:14, "But I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, before whose sight I had brought them out."
20:22, "But I withdrew My hand and acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out."
20:44, "Then you will know that I am the Lord when I have dealt with you for My name's sake, not according to your evil ways or according to your corrupt deeds, O house of Israel," declares the Lord God."
My study notes say of verse 9, "Name and person are closely connected in the bible. God's name is His identity and reputation - that by which He is known. The phrase used here is equivalent to "for My own sake". God's acts of deliverance - past and future - identify Him, revealing His true nature."
I think about how as Believers we have God's name stamped within our being. We are therefore reflecting who He is and what we do impacts that reflection.
In the Ezekiel passage we read that God is passing judgement upon Israel for their sin. Sin committed by following other gods, and worshiping idols from the nations they live near. Those nations know that God's hand was upon the Israelites by what He did for them when they left Egypt. They knew the nation was a Godly nation. And yet, God's name and reputation were being tarnished by how the Israelites were acting. They were not showing God in a good light. We see that God is bring punishment down upon them to save His name from further ruin. Yet, in all this, because of His name, He does want to keep some of the nation alive.
When we act in a way that reflects more sin then God, we have a problem on our hands. We are tarnishing God's name and not being a good example to those who don't know Him. God's command to us is, "I am the Lord your God; walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and observe them. Sanctify My Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between Me and you that you may know that I am the Lord your God." Ezekiel 20:19-20. We do all those things so that others may know God by what they seen in us.
I think about my devotional thought this morning about how God's hand can reach down from heaven to touch a life. But in most cases He uses the touch of human hands for His purpose. "He uses those who are the nearest by to lend a helping hand, to comfort, to lift from despair, to stroke the fevered brow of discontent. For how can that discouraged and fretful soul experience the Love of God except through the love of one who is beside Him ready to love. How can that disheartened and downcast should feel the touch of encouragement and peace except by the touch of the closet hand reaching out in a tender concern. It may be a friend or a stranger, but God uses hands which are consecrated to Him for touching lives. You may say that it is only another human being. But what is meant by God if it is not Love?" - Streams in the Desert Vol. 2
In linking my Bible reading to my devotional thought I see that it's vital that if God is living within us that we do our best to reflect Him in the best light. We do that through our actions, speech and reactions. When we observe all that God calls us to observe and maintain a close relationship with Him, then He is able to use us to touch the lives of those in need.
What are you doing for His name?
Krista Jones
9.5.08
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Acts 27-28
Old and New Testaments Together: Ezek. 20-21 & James 5
Historical: Luke 21-22
Chronological: Acts 15-16
Blended: 2 Chron. 7-9 & Luke 6:1-26
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
20:9, "But I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations among whom they lived, in whose sight I made Myself known to them by bringing them out of the land of Egypt."
20:14, "But I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, before whose sight I had brought them out."
20:22, "But I withdrew My hand and acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out."
20:44, "Then you will know that I am the Lord when I have dealt with you for My name's sake, not according to your evil ways or according to your corrupt deeds, O house of Israel," declares the Lord God."
My study notes say of verse 9, "Name and person are closely connected in the bible. God's name is His identity and reputation - that by which He is known. The phrase used here is equivalent to "for My own sake". God's acts of deliverance - past and future - identify Him, revealing His true nature."
I think about how as Believers we have God's name stamped within our being. We are therefore reflecting who He is and what we do impacts that reflection.
In the Ezekiel passage we read that God is passing judgement upon Israel for their sin. Sin committed by following other gods, and worshiping idols from the nations they live near. Those nations know that God's hand was upon the Israelites by what He did for them when they left Egypt. They knew the nation was a Godly nation. And yet, God's name and reputation were being tarnished by how the Israelites were acting. They were not showing God in a good light. We see that God is bring punishment down upon them to save His name from further ruin. Yet, in all this, because of His name, He does want to keep some of the nation alive.
When we act in a way that reflects more sin then God, we have a problem on our hands. We are tarnishing God's name and not being a good example to those who don't know Him. God's command to us is, "I am the Lord your God; walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and observe them. Sanctify My Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between Me and you that you may know that I am the Lord your God." Ezekiel 20:19-20. We do all those things so that others may know God by what they seen in us.
I think about my devotional thought this morning about how God's hand can reach down from heaven to touch a life. But in most cases He uses the touch of human hands for His purpose. "He uses those who are the nearest by to lend a helping hand, to comfort, to lift from despair, to stroke the fevered brow of discontent. For how can that discouraged and fretful soul experience the Love of God except through the love of one who is beside Him ready to love. How can that disheartened and downcast should feel the touch of encouragement and peace except by the touch of the closet hand reaching out in a tender concern. It may be a friend or a stranger, but God uses hands which are consecrated to Him for touching lives. You may say that it is only another human being. But what is meant by God if it is not Love?" - Streams in the Desert Vol. 2
In linking my Bible reading to my devotional thought I see that it's vital that if God is living within us that we do our best to reflect Him in the best light. We do that through our actions, speech and reactions. When we observe all that God calls us to observe and maintain a close relationship with Him, then He is able to use us to touch the lives of those in need.
What are you doing for His name?
Krista Jones
9.5.08
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Acts 27-28
Old and New Testaments Together: Ezek. 20-21 & James 5
Historical: Luke 21-22
Chronological: Acts 15-16
Blended: 2 Chron. 7-9 & Luke 6:1-26
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Weekend Bible Reading
Bible Reading Guide:
Saturday:
Beginning to End: Acts 21-23
Old and New Testaments Together: Ezek. 16-17 & James 3
Historical: Luke 17-18
Chronological: Acts 13-14
Blended: 2 Chron. 1-3 & Luke 5:1-16
Sunday:
Beginning to End: Acts 24-26
Old and New Testaments Together: Ezek. 18-19 & James 4
Historical: Luke 19-20
Chronological: James 1-5
Blended: 2 Chron. 4-6 & Luke 5:17-39
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Saturday:
Beginning to End: Acts 21-23
Old and New Testaments Together: Ezek. 16-17 & James 3
Historical: Luke 17-18
Chronological: Acts 13-14
Blended: 2 Chron. 1-3 & Luke 5:1-16
Sunday:
Beginning to End: Acts 24-26
Old and New Testaments Together: Ezek. 18-19 & James 4
Historical: Luke 19-20
Chronological: James 1-5
Blended: 2 Chron. 4-6 & Luke 5:17-39
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Friday, November 20, 2009
God Listens
"Open up before God, keep nothing back; He'll do whatever needs to be done." Psalm 37:5 - The Message
We live in a noisy world. We are yelled at, promoted, called. Everyone has an urgent message for us. we are surrounded with noise; telephone, radio, television, stereo. Messages re amplified deafeningly. The world is a mob in which everyone is talking at once and no one is willing or able to listen. But God listens. He not only speaks to us, He listens to us. His listening to us is an even greater marvel than His speaking to us. It is rare to find anyone who listens carefully and thoroughly . . .
WHen it happens we know that what we say and feel are immensely important. We acquire dignity. We never know how well we think or speak until we find someone who listens. - Reversed Thunder
By Eugene H. Peterson, taken from "God's Message for Each Day"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Acts 18-20
Old and New Testaments Together: Ezek. 14-15 & James 2
Historical: Luke 14-16
Chronological: Acts 11-12
Blended: I Chron. 28-29 & Luke 4:31-44
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
We live in a noisy world. We are yelled at, promoted, called. Everyone has an urgent message for us. we are surrounded with noise; telephone, radio, television, stereo. Messages re amplified deafeningly. The world is a mob in which everyone is talking at once and no one is willing or able to listen. But God listens. He not only speaks to us, He listens to us. His listening to us is an even greater marvel than His speaking to us. It is rare to find anyone who listens carefully and thoroughly . . .
WHen it happens we know that what we say and feel are immensely important. We acquire dignity. We never know how well we think or speak until we find someone who listens. - Reversed Thunder
By Eugene H. Peterson, taken from "God's Message for Each Day"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Acts 18-20
Old and New Testaments Together: Ezek. 14-15 & James 2
Historical: Luke 14-16
Chronological: Acts 11-12
Blended: I Chron. 28-29 & Luke 4:31-44
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Thursday, November 19, 2009
How To Help Those Who Hurt
"Now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13
When I have asked suffering people, “Who helped you?” not one person has mentioned a PhD from a prestigious seminary or a famous philosopher. All of us have the same capacity to help those who hurt.
No one can package or bottle the “appropriate” response to suffering. If you go to the sufferers themselves, some will recall a friend who cheerily helped distract them from their illness. Others think such an approach insulting. Some want honest, straightforward talk; others find such discussion unbearably depressing.
There is no magic cure for a person in pain. Mainly, such a person needs love, for love instinctively detects what is needed. Jean Vanier, who founded the L’Arche movement for the developmentally disabled, says: “Wounded people who have been broken by suffering and sickness ask for only one thing: a heart that loves and commits itself to them, a heart full of hope for them.”
Such a love may be painful for us. But real love, the apostle Paul reminds us, “Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Cor. 13:7).
As is so often His pattern, God uses very ordinary people to bring about His healing. Those who suffer don’t need our knowledge and wisdom, they need our love. — Philip Yancey
O brother man, fold to thy heart thy brother!
Where pity dwells, the peace of God is there;
To worship rightly is to love each other,
Each smile a hymn, each kindly deed a prayer. —Whittier
They do not truly love who do not show their love. —Shakespeare
Taken from "Our Daily Bread"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Acts 16-17
Old and New Testaments Together: Ezek. 11-13 & James 1
Historical: Luke 12-13
Chronological: Acts 9-10
Blended: I Chron. 25-27 & Luke 4:1-30
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
When I have asked suffering people, “Who helped you?” not one person has mentioned a PhD from a prestigious seminary or a famous philosopher. All of us have the same capacity to help those who hurt.
No one can package or bottle the “appropriate” response to suffering. If you go to the sufferers themselves, some will recall a friend who cheerily helped distract them from their illness. Others think such an approach insulting. Some want honest, straightforward talk; others find such discussion unbearably depressing.
There is no magic cure for a person in pain. Mainly, such a person needs love, for love instinctively detects what is needed. Jean Vanier, who founded the L’Arche movement for the developmentally disabled, says: “Wounded people who have been broken by suffering and sickness ask for only one thing: a heart that loves and commits itself to them, a heart full of hope for them.”
Such a love may be painful for us. But real love, the apostle Paul reminds us, “Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Cor. 13:7).
As is so often His pattern, God uses very ordinary people to bring about His healing. Those who suffer don’t need our knowledge and wisdom, they need our love. — Philip Yancey
O brother man, fold to thy heart thy brother!
Where pity dwells, the peace of God is there;
To worship rightly is to love each other,
Each smile a hymn, each kindly deed a prayer. —Whittier
They do not truly love who do not show their love. —Shakespeare
Taken from "Our Daily Bread"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Acts 16-17
Old and New Testaments Together: Ezek. 11-13 & James 1
Historical: Luke 12-13
Chronological: Acts 9-10
Blended: I Chron. 25-27 & Luke 4:1-30
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Coming Signs of Persecution
"Come," they say, "let us destroy them as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more" (Ps 83:4).
God calls us to know the signs of the times. The final end time conflict will arise when nations of the world will come against Israel. The Bible is clear that Jesus will return to the physical place of Jerusalem to collect His bride, represented as all those who believe and trust in Jesus, the Messiah. "Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready" (Rev 19:7). "I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband" (Rev 21:2).
Israel will always be a place of conflict in the world because Satan knows that this is the place Jesus must come back to in order to collect His bride. And when Jesus does that, it will be the end of Satan's influence on the earth through anti-Christ nations. But until Jesus returns, the land of Jerusalem will be in a tug of war among the nations.
There is a growing intolerance in the world for anyone who has a belief system in absolutes. Christians will be viewed as rigid, inflexible and intolerant of other faiths. There will be a season of political moderate philosophy among many nations and individuals. This moderate philosophy will even happen among Christians, Muslims, and political groups. This will open the door to the influence of the antichrist to come against any group believing in absolutes.
A growing trend of anti-Semitism and persecution will emerge against Jews and committed Christians. Christians will be called to stand with our brothers and sisters in Israel. When this happens it will be one of the reasons Jews will believe in the Messiah.
There has been a season of peace for followers of Christ in the western, European and Asian world. But know that a season of persecution is to come. "However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name" (1 Peter 4:16-17).
Pray that you will be faithful.
By Os Hillman, taken from "Today God Is First"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Acts 14-15
Old and New Testaments Together: Ezek. 8-10 & Hebrews 13
Historical: Luke 10-11
Chronological: Acts 7-8
Blended: I Chron. 22-245 & Luke 3
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
God calls us to know the signs of the times. The final end time conflict will arise when nations of the world will come against Israel. The Bible is clear that Jesus will return to the physical place of Jerusalem to collect His bride, represented as all those who believe and trust in Jesus, the Messiah. "Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready" (Rev 19:7). "I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband" (Rev 21:2).
Israel will always be a place of conflict in the world because Satan knows that this is the place Jesus must come back to in order to collect His bride. And when Jesus does that, it will be the end of Satan's influence on the earth through anti-Christ nations. But until Jesus returns, the land of Jerusalem will be in a tug of war among the nations.
There is a growing intolerance in the world for anyone who has a belief system in absolutes. Christians will be viewed as rigid, inflexible and intolerant of other faiths. There will be a season of political moderate philosophy among many nations and individuals. This moderate philosophy will even happen among Christians, Muslims, and political groups. This will open the door to the influence of the antichrist to come against any group believing in absolutes.
A growing trend of anti-Semitism and persecution will emerge against Jews and committed Christians. Christians will be called to stand with our brothers and sisters in Israel. When this happens it will be one of the reasons Jews will believe in the Messiah.
There has been a season of peace for followers of Christ in the western, European and Asian world. But know that a season of persecution is to come. "However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name" (1 Peter 4:16-17).
Pray that you will be faithful.
By Os Hillman, taken from "Today God Is First"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Acts 14-15
Old and New Testaments Together: Ezek. 8-10 & Hebrews 13
Historical: Luke 10-11
Chronological: Acts 7-8
Blended: I Chron. 22-245 & Luke 3
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Commitment in Adversity
"But Ruth replied, 'Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.'" Ruth 1:16-17
When I made a commitment to marry a preacher, it was with joy, excitement and the dream of serving God with all my heart. Up to that point, I had experienced good health, success, achievement, praise and gratitude. I had ever reason to expect that a life of ministry would mean more of the same - plus greater joy and usefulness. I was not prepared for serious and debilitating illness, the miscarriage of a baby, the trauma of financially troubled church and personal attacks from the family of faith.
Within one of my husband's sermons, I found a nugget of hope: "Our adversities are God's universities." The adversities drove me to God, and God had what I needed to endure and fulfill the commitment I had made.
In Ruth 1:16-17 the innocent young widow Ruth expressed her passionate and devoted love for her old and bitter mother-in-law. It was not Naomi's beauty, wealth or even joyfulness that drew Ruth to her, for all of these had long since fallen away. Rather it was Naomi's faith in the living God, her spiritual wisdom and her consistent piety that bound the young pagan widow to her. Ruth made a commitment to travel, live and pursue life with Naomi, to accept her God and even to die and be buried in Naomi's homeland. Her commitment was not just with loving words and well-meaning feelings, as her sister-in-law Orpah (Ruth 1:14), but with purposeful love and devoted deeds.
Commitment must be fueled not merely by head knowledge but also by heart determination. Ruth had nothing to offer to Naomi or to God but herself, and that she have willingly and eagerly. Every woman, whatever her circumstances or position, has at least that to give the Savior, and it is enough!
By Dorothy Patterson, taken from "Women's Devotional Bible 2"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Acts 11-13
Old and New Testaments Together: Ezek. 5-7 & Hebrews 12
Historical: Luke 8-9
Chronological: Acts 4-6
Blended: I Chron. 19-21 & Luke 2:25-52
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
When I made a commitment to marry a preacher, it was with joy, excitement and the dream of serving God with all my heart. Up to that point, I had experienced good health, success, achievement, praise and gratitude. I had ever reason to expect that a life of ministry would mean more of the same - plus greater joy and usefulness. I was not prepared for serious and debilitating illness, the miscarriage of a baby, the trauma of financially troubled church and personal attacks from the family of faith.
Within one of my husband's sermons, I found a nugget of hope: "Our adversities are God's universities." The adversities drove me to God, and God had what I needed to endure and fulfill the commitment I had made.
In Ruth 1:16-17 the innocent young widow Ruth expressed her passionate and devoted love for her old and bitter mother-in-law. It was not Naomi's beauty, wealth or even joyfulness that drew Ruth to her, for all of these had long since fallen away. Rather it was Naomi's faith in the living God, her spiritual wisdom and her consistent piety that bound the young pagan widow to her. Ruth made a commitment to travel, live and pursue life with Naomi, to accept her God and even to die and be buried in Naomi's homeland. Her commitment was not just with loving words and well-meaning feelings, as her sister-in-law Orpah (Ruth 1:14), but with purposeful love and devoted deeds.
Commitment must be fueled not merely by head knowledge but also by heart determination. Ruth had nothing to offer to Naomi or to God but herself, and that she have willingly and eagerly. Every woman, whatever her circumstances or position, has at least that to give the Savior, and it is enough!
By Dorothy Patterson, taken from "Women's Devotional Bible 2"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Acts 11-13
Old and New Testaments Together: Ezek. 5-7 & Hebrews 12
Historical: Luke 8-9
Chronological: Acts 4-6
Blended: I Chron. 19-21 & Luke 2:25-52
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Monday, November 16, 2009
Lessons on Love
Ezekiel 15 is all about Jerusalem being like a useless vine. I instantly think of John 15 when I think of vines. Jerusalem was a useless vine that produced bad fruit. We are told in John 15 that we are to abide in the Lord because if we don't we really are nothing. Just like Jerusalem was in Ezekiel's time. He said because they were useless that He would cast them into the fire to be burned up. John 15:6 says, "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned."
The rest of the John 15 talks about abiding the the Lord and His love. John 15:12 says, "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you."
This verse ties into my morning devotional about love. I like what the 1st sentence says, "The great business of a true Christian life is to learn to love." WOW. As God's vine we know that if we abide in Him we know that we are to love one another. And honestly, I haven't done that these past few years. Sure, I love most people but those who rub me wrong get conditional love. I am really judgemental in giving my love away. If someone annoys me or hurts me I recoil my love.
I've spent the past few weeks praying about myself and what God wants to change in me. I know the first lesson He has taught/continues to teach me is that I need to diligently seek Him and His approval alone. I'm getting the feeling that learning to love is another lesson. It ties in with forgiving and letting go.
I will let my devotional speak for me:
"Life with all its experiences is just our chance of learning love. The lesson is set for us - 'Thou shalt love;' 'As I have loved you, that ye also love one another.' Our one thing is to master this lesson. We are not in this world to get rich, to gain power, to become learned in the arts and sciences, to build up a great business, or to do large things in any line. We are not here to get along in our daily work, in our shops, or schools, or homes, or on our farms. we are not here to preach the gospel, to comfort sorrow, to visit the sick and to perform deeds of charity. All of these, or any of these, may be among our duties, and they may fill our hands; but in all our occupations the real business of life, that which we are always to strive to do, the work which must go on in all our experiences, if we grasp life's true meaning at all, is to learn to love, and to grow loving in disposition and character.
We may learn the finest arts of life - music, painting, sculpture, poetry, or many master the noblest sciences, or by means of reading, study, travel, and converse with refined people, may attain the best culture; but if in all this we do not learn to love, and become more gentle in spirit and act, we have missed the prize of living. If in the midst of all our duties, cares, trials, joys, sorrows, we are not day by day growing in sweetness, in gentleness, in unselfishness, in thoughtfulness, and in all the branches of love, we are not learning the great lesson set for us by our Master in this school of life." - J. R. Miller, taken from Streams in the Desert Vol. 2
Hard for me to grasp and understand that what I thought I've been doing isn't what I have been doing. So continues the lessons I am to learn . . . . Abiding in the Lord and learning to love.
Krista Jones
9.2.08
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Acts 9-10
Old and New Testaments Together: Ezek. 3-4 & Hebrews 11:20-40
Historical: Luke 6-7
Chronological: Acts 1-3
Blended: I Chron. 16-18 & Luke 2:1-24
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
The rest of the John 15 talks about abiding the the Lord and His love. John 15:12 says, "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you."
This verse ties into my morning devotional about love. I like what the 1st sentence says, "The great business of a true Christian life is to learn to love." WOW. As God's vine we know that if we abide in Him we know that we are to love one another. And honestly, I haven't done that these past few years. Sure, I love most people but those who rub me wrong get conditional love. I am really judgemental in giving my love away. If someone annoys me or hurts me I recoil my love.
I've spent the past few weeks praying about myself and what God wants to change in me. I know the first lesson He has taught/continues to teach me is that I need to diligently seek Him and His approval alone. I'm getting the feeling that learning to love is another lesson. It ties in with forgiving and letting go.
I will let my devotional speak for me:
"Life with all its experiences is just our chance of learning love. The lesson is set for us - 'Thou shalt love;' 'As I have loved you, that ye also love one another.' Our one thing is to master this lesson. We are not in this world to get rich, to gain power, to become learned in the arts and sciences, to build up a great business, or to do large things in any line. We are not here to get along in our daily work, in our shops, or schools, or homes, or on our farms. we are not here to preach the gospel, to comfort sorrow, to visit the sick and to perform deeds of charity. All of these, or any of these, may be among our duties, and they may fill our hands; but in all our occupations the real business of life, that which we are always to strive to do, the work which must go on in all our experiences, if we grasp life's true meaning at all, is to learn to love, and to grow loving in disposition and character.
We may learn the finest arts of life - music, painting, sculpture, poetry, or many master the noblest sciences, or by means of reading, study, travel, and converse with refined people, may attain the best culture; but if in all this we do not learn to love, and become more gentle in spirit and act, we have missed the prize of living. If in the midst of all our duties, cares, trials, joys, sorrows, we are not day by day growing in sweetness, in gentleness, in unselfishness, in thoughtfulness, and in all the branches of love, we are not learning the great lesson set for us by our Master in this school of life." - J. R. Miller, taken from Streams in the Desert Vol. 2
Hard for me to grasp and understand that what I thought I've been doing isn't what I have been doing. So continues the lessons I am to learn . . . . Abiding in the Lord and learning to love.
Krista Jones
9.2.08
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Acts 9-10
Old and New Testaments Together: Ezek. 3-4 & Hebrews 11:20-40
Historical: Luke 6-7
Chronological: Acts 1-3
Blended: I Chron. 16-18 & Luke 2:1-24
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Weekend Bible Reading
Bible Reading Guide:
Saturday:
Beginning to End: Acts 4-6
Old and New Testaments Together: Lam. 1-2 & Hebrews 10:19-39
Historical: Luke 2-3
Chronological: Matthew 28 & Mark 16
Blended: I Chron. 10-12 & Luke 1:39-56
Sunday:
Beginning to End: Acts 7-8
Old and New Testaments Together: Ezek. 1-2 & Hebrews 11:1-19
Historical: Luke 4-5
Chronological: Luke 24 & John 20-21
Blended: I Chron. 13-15 & Luke 1:57-80
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Saturday:
Beginning to End: Acts 4-6
Old and New Testaments Together: Lam. 1-2 & Hebrews 10:19-39
Historical: Luke 2-3
Chronological: Matthew 28 & Mark 16
Blended: I Chron. 10-12 & Luke 1:39-56
Sunday:
Beginning to End: Acts 7-8
Old and New Testaments Together: Ezek. 1-2 & Hebrews 11:1-19
Historical: Luke 4-5
Chronological: Luke 24 & John 20-21
Blended: I Chron. 13-15 & Luke 1:57-80
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Friday, November 13, 2009
God's Multiplication Table
"A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time" (Isaiah 60:22).
Works for the LORD often begin on a small scale, and they are none the worse for this. Feebleness educates faith, brings God near, and wins glory for His name. Prize promises of increase! Mustard seed is the smallest among seeds, and yet it becomes a treelike plant, with branches which lodge the birds of heaven. We may begin with one, and that "a little one," and yet it will "become a thousand." The LORD is great at the multiplication table. How often did He say to His lone servant, "I will multiply thee!" Trust in the LORD, ye ones and twos; for He will be in the midst of you if you are gathered in His name. "A small one." What can be more despicable in the eyes of those who count heads and weigh forces! Yet this is the nucleus of a great nation. Only one star shines out at first in the evening, but soon the sky is crowded with countless lights. Nor need we think the prospect of increase to be remote, for the promise is, "I Jehovah will hasten it in his time." There will be no premature haste, like that which we see at excited meetings; it will be all in due time, but yet there will be no delay. When the LORD hastens, His speed is glorious.
By C.H. Spurgeon, taken from "Faith's Checkbook"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Acts 1-3
Old and New Testaments Together: Lam. 1-2 & Hebrews 10:1-18
Historical: Luke 1
Chronological: Luke 23 & John 18-19
Blended: I Chron. 7-9 & Luke 1:21-38
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Works for the LORD often begin on a small scale, and they are none the worse for this. Feebleness educates faith, brings God near, and wins glory for His name. Prize promises of increase! Mustard seed is the smallest among seeds, and yet it becomes a treelike plant, with branches which lodge the birds of heaven. We may begin with one, and that "a little one," and yet it will "become a thousand." The LORD is great at the multiplication table. How often did He say to His lone servant, "I will multiply thee!" Trust in the LORD, ye ones and twos; for He will be in the midst of you if you are gathered in His name. "A small one." What can be more despicable in the eyes of those who count heads and weigh forces! Yet this is the nucleus of a great nation. Only one star shines out at first in the evening, but soon the sky is crowded with countless lights. Nor need we think the prospect of increase to be remote, for the promise is, "I Jehovah will hasten it in his time." There will be no premature haste, like that which we see at excited meetings; it will be all in due time, but yet there will be no delay. When the LORD hastens, His speed is glorious.
By C.H. Spurgeon, taken from "Faith's Checkbook"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Acts 1-3
Old and New Testaments Together: Lam. 1-2 & Hebrews 10:1-18
Historical: Luke 1
Chronological: Luke 23 & John 18-19
Blended: I Chron. 7-9 & Luke 1:21-38
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Fix Your Eyes on Jesus!
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith." Hebrews 12:2
Every man has some contribution to make to your life if you know how to receive it; certain men will astonish you with their ability to answer your unexpressed question and tell you what is in your heart. But never attach yourself to any man as a parasite. Adopt no man as a guru. Apart from the inspired writers of Holy Scriptures no man is worthy of such confidence. The sweetest saint can be mistaken.
I repeat, never let any man become necessary to you. Christ alone is necessary. Apart from Him we are completely wretched; without Him we cannot live and dare not die. Our need of Him is real and vital and will outlast time and go on into eternity. That deep and desperate need is met by Christ so completely that when we have Him we need no one else. We may receive help from our fellow Christians as they from us, but our need for them is relative and fleeting. Let anyone become spiritually indispensable to us and we have deserted the Rock to build on shifting sand.
It requires deep consecration, I admit, and complete detachment from earthly interests to reach such a place of independence. And it is only after we become completely dependent upon God that we can walk without leaning on men. It takes much prayer and quiet contemplation to maintain the nice balance that will permit us to receive help from our fellow Christians and at the same time be sweetly independent of them. But we should not despair; it is not beyond the possibilities of grace. Not even for such weak Christians as we are.
Thought: God ministers to us through other believers whom He has gifted. We can be aided by others who are more mature than are we. But it is on Christ our eyes are to be fixed. He is the author and perfecter of our faith, as well as our perfect example.
By A.W. Tozer, taken from "The Warfare of the Spirit"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: John 19-21
Old and New Testaments Together: Jer. 51-52 & Hebrews 9
Historical: Mark 15-16
Chronological: Matthew 27 & Mark 15
Blended: I Chron. 4-6 & LUke 1:1-20
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Every man has some contribution to make to your life if you know how to receive it; certain men will astonish you with their ability to answer your unexpressed question and tell you what is in your heart. But never attach yourself to any man as a parasite. Adopt no man as a guru. Apart from the inspired writers of Holy Scriptures no man is worthy of such confidence. The sweetest saint can be mistaken.
I repeat, never let any man become necessary to you. Christ alone is necessary. Apart from Him we are completely wretched; without Him we cannot live and dare not die. Our need of Him is real and vital and will outlast time and go on into eternity. That deep and desperate need is met by Christ so completely that when we have Him we need no one else. We may receive help from our fellow Christians as they from us, but our need for them is relative and fleeting. Let anyone become spiritually indispensable to us and we have deserted the Rock to build on shifting sand.
It requires deep consecration, I admit, and complete detachment from earthly interests to reach such a place of independence. And it is only after we become completely dependent upon God that we can walk without leaning on men. It takes much prayer and quiet contemplation to maintain the nice balance that will permit us to receive help from our fellow Christians and at the same time be sweetly independent of them. But we should not despair; it is not beyond the possibilities of grace. Not even for such weak Christians as we are.
Thought: God ministers to us through other believers whom He has gifted. We can be aided by others who are more mature than are we. But it is on Christ our eyes are to be fixed. He is the author and perfecter of our faith, as well as our perfect example.
By A.W. Tozer, taken from "The Warfare of the Spirit"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: John 19-21
Old and New Testaments Together: Jer. 51-52 & Hebrews 9
Historical: Mark 15-16
Chronological: Matthew 27 & Mark 15
Blended: I Chron. 4-6 & LUke 1:1-20
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Raised Through the Spirit
"God does not give the Spirit by measure. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand." John 3:34-35
Jesus took on the role required voluntary submission, and He did the will of the Father through the power of the Spirit. That is an amazing act of love and humility from One who is fully God and always will be throughout eternity
It is important to recognize the Spirit's work in the ministry and resurrection of Jesus because it indicates that the entire Trinity was involved in the redemption of mankind. The greatest affirmation that Jesus is who He claimed to be is that the Father raised the Son through the agency of the Holy Spirit.
By John MacArthur, taken from "Truth for Today"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: John 16-18
Old and New Testaments Together: Jer. 50 & Hebrews 8
Historical: Mark 14
Chronological: John 14-17
Blended: I Chron. 1-3 & Jude
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Jesus took on the role required voluntary submission, and He did the will of the Father through the power of the Spirit. That is an amazing act of love and humility from One who is fully God and always will be throughout eternity
It is important to recognize the Spirit's work in the ministry and resurrection of Jesus because it indicates that the entire Trinity was involved in the redemption of mankind. The greatest affirmation that Jesus is who He claimed to be is that the Father raised the Son through the agency of the Holy Spirit.
By John MacArthur, taken from "Truth for Today"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: John 16-18
Old and New Testaments Together: Jer. 50 & Hebrews 8
Historical: Mark 14
Chronological: John 14-17
Blended: I Chron. 1-3 & Jude
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Impulsiveness or Discipleship?
"But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith . . ." Jude 20
There was nothing of the nature of impulsive or thoughtless action about our Lord, but only a calm strength that never got into a panic. Most of us develop our Christianity along the lines of our own nature, not along the lines of God’s nature. Impulsiveness is a trait of the natural life, and our Lord always ignores it, because it hinders the development of the life of a disciple. Watch how the Spirit of God gives a sense of restraint to impulsiveness, suddenly bringing us a feeling of self-conscious foolishness, which makes us instantly want to vindicate ourselves. Impulsiveness is all right in a child, but is disastrous in a man or woman—an impulsive adult is always a spoiled person. Impulsiveness needs to be trained into intuition through discipline.
Discipleship is built entirely on the supernatural grace of God. Walking on water is easy to someone with impulsive boldness, but walking on dry land as a disciple of Jesus Christ is something altogether different. Peter walked on the water to go to Jesus, but he "followed Him at a distance" on dry land ( Mark 14:54 ). We do not need the grace of God to withstand crises—human nature and pride are sufficient for us to face the stress and strain magnificently. But it does require the supernatural grace of God to live twenty-four hours of every day as a saint, going through drudgery, and living an ordinary, unnoticed, and ignored existence as a disciple of Jesus. It is ingrained in us that we have to do exceptional things for God—but we do not. We have to be exceptional in the ordinary things of life, and holy on the ordinary streets, among ordinary people—and this is not learned in five minutes.
By Oswald Chambers, taken from "My Utmost for His Highest"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: John 13-15
Old and New Testaments Together: Jer. 48-49 & Hebrews 7
Historical: Mark 12-13
Chronological: Luke 22 & John 13
Blended: Ezra 9-10 & 2 Tim. 4
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
There was nothing of the nature of impulsive or thoughtless action about our Lord, but only a calm strength that never got into a panic. Most of us develop our Christianity along the lines of our own nature, not along the lines of God’s nature. Impulsiveness is a trait of the natural life, and our Lord always ignores it, because it hinders the development of the life of a disciple. Watch how the Spirit of God gives a sense of restraint to impulsiveness, suddenly bringing us a feeling of self-conscious foolishness, which makes us instantly want to vindicate ourselves. Impulsiveness is all right in a child, but is disastrous in a man or woman—an impulsive adult is always a spoiled person. Impulsiveness needs to be trained into intuition through discipline.
Discipleship is built entirely on the supernatural grace of God. Walking on water is easy to someone with impulsive boldness, but walking on dry land as a disciple of Jesus Christ is something altogether different. Peter walked on the water to go to Jesus, but he "followed Him at a distance" on dry land ( Mark 14:54 ). We do not need the grace of God to withstand crises—human nature and pride are sufficient for us to face the stress and strain magnificently. But it does require the supernatural grace of God to live twenty-four hours of every day as a saint, going through drudgery, and living an ordinary, unnoticed, and ignored existence as a disciple of Jesus. It is ingrained in us that we have to do exceptional things for God—but we do not. We have to be exceptional in the ordinary things of life, and holy on the ordinary streets, among ordinary people—and this is not learned in five minutes.
By Oswald Chambers, taken from "My Utmost for His Highest"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: John 13-15
Old and New Testaments Together: Jer. 48-49 & Hebrews 7
Historical: Mark 12-13
Chronological: Luke 22 & John 13
Blended: Ezra 9-10 & 2 Tim. 4
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Monday, November 09, 2009
“Leadership Lessons from Geese”
"Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near." Hebrews 10:23-25
While I reading my devotional this morning I heard geese honking as they flew over my house. That reminded me about the unique nature of geese in how they support one another. I found this article that says it all.
“Leadership Lessons from Geese”
To show the importance of teamwork, we can take examples from the lives of geese:
Fact: As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the birds that follow. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock gains 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.
Lesson 1: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.
Fact: When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it.
Lesson 2: If we have as much sense as a goose we stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others.
Fact: When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position.
Lesson 3: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on each other’s skill, capabilities, and unique arrangements of gifts, talents, and resources.
Fact: The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up in front to keep up their speed.
Lesson 4: We need to make sure that our honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement, the production is much greater. The power of encouragement (to stand by one’s core values, and to encourage the core values of others) is the quality of honking we seek.
Fact: When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out with another formation or catch up with the flock.
Lesson 5: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.
"Honk Honk - Leadership Lessons from Geese"
Too often in today's society we are not taught to support one another. We are taught to think only of ourselves, how far we can advance in whatever we're doing to be #1 and to use people to get you to that goal. Look at Hollywood for example. They love celebrities as long as they do, act and look like they want them to. Even when they behave badly they glorify them. And yet, as you see many young lives get eaten up by Hollywood you don't see Hollywood supporting them unless they make the news through tragedy, rehab or succeeding in making them money. It's a sad day when I look around and see so many people in need of love and hurting but feel all alone.
Next time you hear geese honking look up and watch them. It's not often that you see one struggling all alone behind the flock. Normally they are all flying in a V formation together as one. If one falls behind because of illness or injury others will fly with it to encourage and help it until it is well enough to join the flock once more. No one is left behind. No one is alone. Even the leaders are support by the honking you hear. The honks help encourage the leader to press forward. If he tires he falls back and allows others to lead the way for a while.
How is your honking lately? Are you just sitting there silently allowing those beside you to fall out of formation and be left behind? Are you willing to be the one that honks others on? Or the one who falls out of formation to come along side the one in need?
Have you honked lately? If not, start honking!
Krista Jones
8.31.08
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: John 11-12
Old and New Testaments Together: Jer. 46-47 & Hebrews 6
Historical: Mark 10-11
Chronological: Matthew 26 & Mark 14
Blended: Ezra 6-8 & 2 Tim. 3
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
While I reading my devotional this morning I heard geese honking as they flew over my house. That reminded me about the unique nature of geese in how they support one another. I found this article that says it all.
“Leadership Lessons from Geese”
To show the importance of teamwork, we can take examples from the lives of geese:
Fact: As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the birds that follow. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock gains 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.
Lesson 1: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.
Fact: When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it.
Lesson 2: If we have as much sense as a goose we stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others.
Fact: When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position.
Lesson 3: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on each other’s skill, capabilities, and unique arrangements of gifts, talents, and resources.
Fact: The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up in front to keep up their speed.
Lesson 4: We need to make sure that our honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement, the production is much greater. The power of encouragement (to stand by one’s core values, and to encourage the core values of others) is the quality of honking we seek.
Fact: When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out with another formation or catch up with the flock.
Lesson 5: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.
"Honk Honk - Leadership Lessons from Geese"
Too often in today's society we are not taught to support one another. We are taught to think only of ourselves, how far we can advance in whatever we're doing to be #1 and to use people to get you to that goal. Look at Hollywood for example. They love celebrities as long as they do, act and look like they want them to. Even when they behave badly they glorify them. And yet, as you see many young lives get eaten up by Hollywood you don't see Hollywood supporting them unless they make the news through tragedy, rehab or succeeding in making them money. It's a sad day when I look around and see so many people in need of love and hurting but feel all alone.
Next time you hear geese honking look up and watch them. It's not often that you see one struggling all alone behind the flock. Normally they are all flying in a V formation together as one. If one falls behind because of illness or injury others will fly with it to encourage and help it until it is well enough to join the flock once more. No one is left behind. No one is alone. Even the leaders are support by the honking you hear. The honks help encourage the leader to press forward. If he tires he falls back and allows others to lead the way for a while.
How is your honking lately? Are you just sitting there silently allowing those beside you to fall out of formation and be left behind? Are you willing to be the one that honks others on? Or the one who falls out of formation to come along side the one in need?
Have you honked lately? If not, start honking!
Krista Jones
8.31.08
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: John 11-12
Old and New Testaments Together: Jer. 46-47 & Hebrews 6
Historical: Mark 10-11
Chronological: Matthew 26 & Mark 14
Blended: Ezra 6-8 & 2 Tim. 3
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Weekend Bible Reading
Bible Reading Guide:
Saturday:
Beginning to End: John 7-8
Old and New Testaments Together: Jer. 40-42 & Hebrews 4
Historical: Mark 6-7
Chronological: Matthew 24
Blended: Ezra 1-2 & 2 Tim. 1
Sunday:
Beginning to End: John 9-10
Old and New Testaments Together: Jer. 43-45 & Hebrews 5
Historical: Mark 8-9
Chronological: Matthew 25
Blended: Ezra 3-5 & 2 Tim. 2
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Saturday:
Beginning to End: John 7-8
Old and New Testaments Together: Jer. 40-42 & Hebrews 4
Historical: Mark 6-7
Chronological: Matthew 24
Blended: Ezra 1-2 & 2 Tim. 1
Sunday:
Beginning to End: John 9-10
Old and New Testaments Together: Jer. 43-45 & Hebrews 5
Historical: Mark 8-9
Chronological: Matthew 25
Blended: Ezra 3-5 & 2 Tim. 2
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Friday, November 06, 2009
Who Goes There?
"When he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him." John 10:4
Last fall my wife, Carolyn, and I were driving up a winding mountain road near our home in Idaho when we came across a large flock of sheep moving down the road toward us. A lone shepherd with his dogs was in the vanguard, leading his flock out of summer pasture into the lowlands and winter quarters.
We pulled to the side of the road and waited while the flock swirled around us. We watched them until they were out of sight, then I wondered: Do sheep fear change, movement, new places?
Like most older folks, I like the “fold”—the old, familiar places. But all is shifting and changing these days; I’m being led out, away from familiar surroundings and into a vast unknown. What new limits will overtake me in the coming days? What nameless fears will awaken? Jesus’ words from John 10 come to mind: “When he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them” (v.4).
We may well be dismayed at what life has for us this year and next, but our Shepherd knows the way we’re taking. And He goes before. He will not lead us down paths too dangerous or too arduous where He cannot help us. He knows our limits. He knows the way to green pasture and good water; all we have to do is follow. — David H. Roper
Child of My love, fear not the unknown morrow,
Dread not the new demand life makes of thee;
Thy ignorance doth hold no cause for sorrow
Since what thou knowest not is known to Me. —Exley
Our unknown future is secure in the hands of our all-knowing God.
Taken from "Our Daily Bread"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: John 5-6
Old and New Testaments Together: Jer. 37-39 & Hebrews 3
Historical: Mark 4-5
Chronological: Mark 13
Blended: Zephaniah & Col. 4
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Last fall my wife, Carolyn, and I were driving up a winding mountain road near our home in Idaho when we came across a large flock of sheep moving down the road toward us. A lone shepherd with his dogs was in the vanguard, leading his flock out of summer pasture into the lowlands and winter quarters.
We pulled to the side of the road and waited while the flock swirled around us. We watched them until they were out of sight, then I wondered: Do sheep fear change, movement, new places?
Like most older folks, I like the “fold”—the old, familiar places. But all is shifting and changing these days; I’m being led out, away from familiar surroundings and into a vast unknown. What new limits will overtake me in the coming days? What nameless fears will awaken? Jesus’ words from John 10 come to mind: “When he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them” (v.4).
We may well be dismayed at what life has for us this year and next, but our Shepherd knows the way we’re taking. And He goes before. He will not lead us down paths too dangerous or too arduous where He cannot help us. He knows our limits. He knows the way to green pasture and good water; all we have to do is follow. — David H. Roper
Child of My love, fear not the unknown morrow,
Dread not the new demand life makes of thee;
Thy ignorance doth hold no cause for sorrow
Since what thou knowest not is known to Me. —Exley
Our unknown future is secure in the hands of our all-knowing God.
Taken from "Our Daily Bread"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: John 5-6
Old and New Testaments Together: Jer. 37-39 & Hebrews 3
Historical: Mark 4-5
Chronological: Mark 13
Blended: Zephaniah & Col. 4
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Thursday, November 05, 2009
No One is Useless to God
"God does not see the same way people see. People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart." I Samuel 16:7
No one is useless to God. No one, at any point in his life, is useless to God - not a little child, not the unattractive, not the clumsy, not the tired, not the discouraged. God uses his children.
By Max Lucado, taken from "Walking with the Savior"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: John 3-4
Old and New Testaments Together: Jer. 34-36 & Hebrews 2
Historical: Mark 1-3
Chronological: Matthew 23 & Luke 20-21
Blended: Habakkuk & Col. 3
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
No one is useless to God. No one, at any point in his life, is useless to God - not a little child, not the unattractive, not the clumsy, not the tired, not the discouraged. God uses his children.
By Max Lucado, taken from "Walking with the Savior"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: John 3-4
Old and New Testaments Together: Jer. 34-36 & Hebrews 2
Historical: Mark 1-3
Chronological: Matthew 23 & Luke 20-21
Blended: Habakkuk & Col. 3
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
God Knows Me
"O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways." Psalm 139:1-3
Read all of Psalm 139. And then read it again. And again. It is a study in depth psychology. It is a frightening study until we grasp the tremendous fact that God knows all of the unfathomable depths of our beings.
Our subconscious minds are like baskets. Into them has dropped everything we have ever heard, spoken or thought. And we cannot control them. But God knows all about subconscious minds as well as conscious minds. He created them in the first place. They are not too much for Him at all.
He knows.
That has come to be daily a greater relief to me.
He is "Acquainted with all my ways" and still He loves me.
Each time something frightening floats to the surface of my subconscious mind and registers its ugly self on my consciousness, I deliberately remind myself that God is not shocked by the things I am just now seeing about me. "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." He is unshockable and unshakable, and He is, in the Person of the blessed Holy Spirit, constantly at work in the shadowy depths of our subconscious minds. This is His domain if we are Christians. Here we have no control and even when consciously we feel out of touch with God, we can absolutely rest on the fact that He is not out of touch with us. He is there in the depths right now working.
We have His own word for the fact that He is there:
. . . If any man . . . open the door, I will come in . . . I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: John 1-2
Old and New Testaments Together: Jer. 32-33 & Hebrews 1
Historical: Matthew 27-28
Chronological: Matthew 22 & Mark 12
Blended: Nahum & Col. 2
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Read all of Psalm 139. And then read it again. And again. It is a study in depth psychology. It is a frightening study until we grasp the tremendous fact that God knows all of the unfathomable depths of our beings.
Our subconscious minds are like baskets. Into them has dropped everything we have ever heard, spoken or thought. And we cannot control them. But God knows all about subconscious minds as well as conscious minds. He created them in the first place. They are not too much for Him at all.
He knows.
That has come to be daily a greater relief to me.
He is "Acquainted with all my ways" and still He loves me.
Each time something frightening floats to the surface of my subconscious mind and registers its ugly self on my consciousness, I deliberately remind myself that God is not shocked by the things I am just now seeing about me. "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." He is unshockable and unshakable, and He is, in the Person of the blessed Holy Spirit, constantly at work in the shadowy depths of our subconscious minds. This is His domain if we are Christians. Here we have no control and even when consciously we feel out of touch with God, we can absolutely rest on the fact that He is not out of touch with us. He is there in the depths right now working.
We have His own word for the fact that He is there:
. . . If any man . . . open the door, I will come in . . . I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: John 1-2
Old and New Testaments Together: Jer. 32-33 & Hebrews 1
Historical: Matthew 27-28
Chronological: Matthew 22 & Mark 12
Blended: Nahum & Col. 2
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
God is Sure of Us
"God will never let you down; He'll never let you be pushed past your limit." I Corinthians 10:13 (The Message)
We wander like lost sheep, true; but God is a faithful shepherd who pursues us relentlessly. We have our ups and downs, zealously believing one day and gloomily doubting the next, but He is faithful. we break our promises, but He doesn't break His. Discipleship is not a contract in which if we break our part of the agreement He is free to break His; it is a covenant in which He established the conditions and guarantees the results . . .
All the persons of faith I know are sinners, doubters, uneven performers. We are secure not because we are sure of ourselves but because we trust that God is sure of us. - A Long Obedience
By Eugene H. Peterson, taken from "God's Message For Each Day"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Luke 23-24
Old and New Testaments Together: Jer. 30-31 & Philemon
Historical: Matthew 25-26
Chronological: Mark 11 & John 12
Blended: 2 Samuel 23-24 & Col. 1
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
We wander like lost sheep, true; but God is a faithful shepherd who pursues us relentlessly. We have our ups and downs, zealously believing one day and gloomily doubting the next, but He is faithful. we break our promises, but He doesn't break His. Discipleship is not a contract in which if we break our part of the agreement He is free to break His; it is a covenant in which He established the conditions and guarantees the results . . .
All the persons of faith I know are sinners, doubters, uneven performers. We are secure not because we are sure of ourselves but because we trust that God is sure of us. - A Long Obedience
By Eugene H. Peterson, taken from "God's Message For Each Day"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Luke 23-24
Old and New Testaments Together: Jer. 30-31 & Philemon
Historical: Matthew 25-26
Chronological: Mark 11 & John 12
Blended: 2 Samuel 23-24 & Col. 1
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Monday, November 02, 2009
November's Memory Verse
Galatians 6:9-10
"And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith."
Galatians 6:9-10 (NASB - New American Standard Bible)
October's Memory Verse: Matthew 11:28-30
September's Memory Verse: Isaiah 41:10
August's Memory Verse: Ephesians 4:31
July's Memory Verse: I John 5:13
June's Memory Verse: Ephesians 4:25
May's Memory Verse: James 1:2-4
April's Memory Verse: Jeremiah 30:17
March's Memory Verse: James 1:5
February's Memory Verse: John 15:5
January's Memory Verse: Ephesians 3:20-21
December's Memory Verse: Lamentations 3:22-23
November's Memory Verse: 2 Timothy 2:15
October's Memory Verse: Proverbs 16:1-3
September's Memory Verse: Proverbs 17:9
January's Memory Verse: Ephesians 3:20-21
Remember the key is to review review review. Always review the verses you've already memorized along with learning this month's verse.
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Luke 21-22
Old and New Testaments Together: Jer. 27-29 & Titus 3
Historical: Matthew 23-24
Chronological: Luke 18:15-19:48
Blended: 2 Sam. 21-22 & 3 John
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
"And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith."
Galatians 6:9-10 (NASB - New American Standard Bible)
October's Memory Verse: Matthew 11:28-30
September's Memory Verse: Isaiah 41:10
August's Memory Verse: Ephesians 4:31
July's Memory Verse: I John 5:13
June's Memory Verse: Ephesians 4:25
May's Memory Verse: James 1:2-4
April's Memory Verse: Jeremiah 30:17
March's Memory Verse: James 1:5
February's Memory Verse: John 15:5
January's Memory Verse: Ephesians 3:20-21
December's Memory Verse: Lamentations 3:22-23
November's Memory Verse: 2 Timothy 2:15
October's Memory Verse: Proverbs 16:1-3
September's Memory Verse: Proverbs 17:9
January's Memory Verse: Ephesians 3:20-21
Remember the key is to review review review. Always review the verses you've already memorized along with learning this month's verse.
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Luke 21-22
Old and New Testaments Together: Jer. 27-29 & Titus 3
Historical: Matthew 23-24
Chronological: Luke 18:15-19:48
Blended: 2 Sam. 21-22 & 3 John
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
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